When was coffee discovered? At least 1,000 years ago. Although no one knows for sure, many believe that the origins of Arabica coffee lie in South Sudan and Ethiopia, and that Robusta coffee was born in West Africa.

Where can I buy Fonté Coffee? You can order your favorite bean online at fontecoffee.com. Fonté is also available at some retail stores (Fonté Café in downtown Seattle, Metropolitan Markets) should you prefer to pick some up in person in the Seattle area.

What does the valve on the package do and why is it important? We package all of our coffee within hours of roasting. The one way valves on our bags let CO2 (a natural byproduct expelled by freshly roasted coffee), escape without letting oxygen (coffee flavor’s arch enemy!), into the bag.

What’s the best way to store coffee? Once you have opened your bag it is best to seal your coffee in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature away from strong light.

What temperature water is best for the perfect brew? A good rule of thumb for most brewing methods is to use water between 200–205°F. The water quality you brew with has a major impact on flavor, filtered water is recommended.

When is coffee at its peak flavor? Coffee is generally best after resting for 2 or 3 days after it is roasted.

What is the difference between single origin and coffee blends? Single origin coffees come from the same region, cooperative, or farm. Blends are combinations of single origins blended together for a fantastic flavor—ideally more than just the sum of its parts.

How does Fonté choose the coffee it roasts? Our Master Roaster, Steve Smith, selects each lot of beans that are featured as single origin coffees or utilized in blends. He brings over 35 years of coffee tasting experience to the task, and works hand in hand with a well-established selection of producers and importers to see that the world’s finest coffees arrive at the Fonte roasting plant.

How will I know if my coffee has expired? Every bag of our coffee has the roast date printed on the front of the label. We recommend that you use your coffee within two weeks of purchase to ensure the coffee tastes its best.

What is the difference between dry and wet processed beans? Different areas of the coffee growing world employ different methods of preparing green coffee for export. Tradition, available water resource and intended flavor all play a part in deciding how a given region processes its harvest.
Generally speaking wet process coffees display more fruity flavor notes as some or all of the fruit surrounding the bean has been allowed to dry before being removed, transferring some of its flavor to the bean. Wet process coffees generally have a more sparkling and transparent quality, the fruit of the coffee plant having been removed shortly after harvesting and before the bean has dried.

What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta? These are names for two different members, botanically speaking, of the same family. Arabica beans are generally considered to display more enjoyable flavor characteristics than Robustas and have less caffeine.